Asus ROG Phone II vs. Sharp Aquos Zero 2: A Detailed Comparison

Released in different eras with distinct philosophies, the Asus ROG Phone II and the Sharp Aquos Zero 2 represent opposing ends of the flagship spectrum. The ROG Phone II, a dedicated gaming device, prioritizes raw power and sustained performance, while the Aquos Zero 2 aimed for a lightweight, premium experience with a focus on display quality and portability. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Asus ROG Phone II emerges as the stronger choice. While the Aquos Zero 2 offers a more manageable size, the ROG Phone II’s Snapdragon 855+ chipset, coupled with its 30W charging and superior battery endurance, provides a more compelling overall package, especially for demanding tasks and gaming.

PHONES
Phone Names Sharp Aquos Zero 2 Asus ROG Phone II ZS660KL
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 39, 41 - Taiwan1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 (Cat20 Ultimate edition) 1200/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, May 22. Released 2020, May 222019, July 22. Released 2019, September
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions158 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.22 x 2.91 x 0.35 in)171 x 77.6 x 9.5 mm (6.73 x 3.06 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight141 g (4.97 oz)240 g (8.47 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)RGB light panel (on the back)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 240Hz, HDR10, Dolby VisionAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 10Android 9.0 (Pie), ROG UI
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
Dual12.2 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 20 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide), AF48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm (ultrawide)
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-5 MP
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS (except @240/480fps)
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide)24MP, f/2.2, 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with DTS:X stereo speakers (2 dedicated amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, accessory connector, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ad, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.030W wired 10W reverse wired, QC4
Stand-by-Up to 150 h (3G)
Talk time-Up to 5 h (3G)
TypeLi-Ion 3130 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlueMatte Black, Glossy Black
ModelsSH-Z20, SHV47, 906SHASUS_I001D, I001DA, I001DE, I001DC, I001DB, I001D, I001DD
PriceAbout 670 EURAbout 1070 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 114h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -19.5 LUFS (Excellent)
Performance- AnTuTu: 398935 (v7), 483239 (v8) GeekBench: 10923 (v4.4) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Sharp Aquos Zero 2

  • Lightweight and compact design
  • Potentially superior display color accuracy (based on Sharp's reputation)
  • PD2.0 charging compatibility

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset
  • Unknown battery capacity and charging speed
  • Likely inferior thermal management

Asus ROG Phone II ZS660KL

  • More powerful Snapdragon 855+ chipset
  • Excellent 114-hour battery endurance
  • 30W fast charging with QC4 and reverse charging

  • Larger and heavier form factor
  • Gaming-focused design may not appeal to all users
  • Camera likely not a primary strength

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone II boasts a measured peak brightness of 626 nits, offering excellent visibility in bright conditions. While the Aquos Zero 2’s display specifications are not provided, Sharp historically focuses on color accuracy and viewing angles. The ROG Phone II’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a strong OLED panel, crucial for immersive gaming. The absence of LTPO technology in either device means refresh rate scaling isn’t as power efficient as newer panels, but the ROG Phone II’s larger screen size is a significant factor for gaming and media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the ROG Phone II’s focus on gaming suggests camera performance was not a primary design goal. The Aquos Zero 2, as a flagship, likely prioritizes image quality, but without specifics, it’s impossible to quantify the difference. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on many phones of this era is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to significantly impact image quality.

Performance

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 series, but the ROG Phone II features the Snapdragon 855+, a slight but noticeable upgrade. The 855+ boasts a marginally higher clock speed (2.96 GHz vs 2.84 GHz on the Aquos Zero 2’s 855) on its prime core, translating to a small performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. Both share the same Kryo 485 core architecture. However, the ROG Phone II’s superior thermal design, a hallmark of the ROG line, allows it to sustain peak performance for longer periods, mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. The lack of LPDDR5x specification for either device suggests they both utilize LPDDR4X, limiting memory bandwidth compared to newer standards.

Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone II shines in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 114-hour rating. This is coupled with 30W wired charging, QC4 support, and even 10W reverse wired charging. The Aquos Zero 2 utilizes PD2.0 charging, but its battery capacity is unknown. The ROG Phone II’s faster charging speeds significantly reduce downtime, a critical advantage for gamers. The 114-hour endurance rating suggests a large battery capacity, allowing for all-day use even with demanding applications.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sharp Aquos Zero 2 if you prioritize a lightweight, pocketable flagship experience and value a high-quality display in a more compact form factor. You'll sacrifice some raw performance and gaming-specific features. Buy the Asus ROG Phone II ZS660KL if you are a mobile gamer or power user who demands sustained performance, fast charging, and long battery life, and are willing to accept a larger, heavier device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the ROG Phone II get excessively hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The ROG Phone II features a sophisticated cooling system, including a vapor chamber and external fan accessory (sold separately). While it will get warm, the thermal design is optimized to prevent significant throttling and maintain consistent performance during extended gaming, unlike many other phones with the Snapdragon 855+.
❓ Is the Aquos Zero 2 still a viable option in 2024, considering its age?
The Aquos Zero 2 remains a capable device for everyday tasks, but its aging Snapdragon 855 chipset will struggle with demanding applications and modern games. Battery health degradation is also a concern given its age. It's best suited for users who prioritize a compact form factor and don't require cutting-edge performance.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the Snapdragon 855+ in the ROG Phone II?
The Snapdragon 855+ in the ROG Phone II can handle most mobile games at high settings with smooth frame rates. While not as powerful as newer chipsets, it remains a capable gaming processor, especially when paired with the phone's optimized thermal management.